Basics of FPGA Architecture and ApplicationsThe term FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array and, it is a one type of semiconductor logic chip which can be programmed to become almost any kind of system or digital circuit, similar to PLDs. PLDS are limited to hundreds of gates, but FPGAs supports thousands of gates. The configuration of the FPGA architecture is generally specified using a language, i.e., HDL (Hardware Description language) which is similar to the one used for an ASIC ( Application Specific Integrated Circuit).Field Programmable Gate ArraysFPGAs can provide a number of advantages over a fixed function ASIC technology such as standard cells. Normally, ASICs takes months to manufacture and the cost of them will be thousands of dollars to obtain the device. But, FPGAs are fabricated in less than a second,the cost will be from a few dollars to a thousand dollars.The flexible nature of the FPGA comes at a significant costin area, power consumption and delay.When compared to a standard cell ASIC, an FPGA requires 20 to 35 times more area, and the speed’s performance will be 3 to 4 times slower than the ASIC. This article describes about theFPGA basics and FPGA architecture module that includes I/O pad, logic blocks and switch matrix. FPGAs are some of the new trending areas of VLSI. Therefore, these are used in VLSI based projects for electronic engineering students. FPGA ArchitectureThe general FPGA architecture consists of three types of modules. They are I/O blocks or Pads, Switch Matrix/ Interconnection Wires and Configurable logic blocks (CLB). The basic FPGA architecture has two dimensional arrays of logic blocks with a means for a user to arrange the interconnection between the logic blocks. The functions of an FPGA architecture module are discussed below:CLB (Configurable Logic Block) includes digital logic, inputs, outputs. It implements the user logic.Interconnects provide direction between the logic blocks to implement the user logic.Depending on the logic, switch matrix provides switching between interconnects.I/O Pads used for the outside world to communicate with different applications.FPGA ArchitectureLogic Block contains MUX (Multiplexer), D flip flop and LUT. LUT implements the combinational logical functions; the MUX is used for selection logic, and D flip flop stores the output of the LUTThe basic building block of the FPGA is the Look Up Table based function generator. The number of inputs to the LUT vary from 3,4,6, and even 8 after experiments. Now, we have adaptive LUTs that provides two outputs per single LUT with the implementation of two function generators.FPGA Logic BlockXilinx Virtex-5 is the most popular FPGA, that contains a Look up Table (LUT) which is connected with MUX, and a flip flop as discussed above. Present FPGA consists of about hundreds or thousands of configurable logic blocks. For configuring the FPGA, Modelsim and Xilinx ISE softwares are used to generate a bitstream file and for development. Types of FPGAs Based on ApplicationsField Programmable Gate Arrays are classified into three types based on applications such as Low-end FPGAs, Mid-range FPGAs and high-end FPGAs.Types of FPGAsLow End FPGAsThese types of FPGAs are designed for low power consumption, low logic density and low complexity per chip. Examples of low end FPGAs are Cyclone family from Altera, Spartan family from Xilinx, fusion family from Microsemi and the Mach XO/ICE40 from Lattice semiconductor. Mid Range FPGAsThese types of FPGAs are the optimum solution between the low-end and high- end FPGAs and these are developed as a balance between the performance and the cost. Examples of Mid range FPGAs are Arria from Altera, Artix-7/Kintex-7 series from Xlinix, IGL002 from Microsemi and ECP3 and ECP5 series from Lattice semiconductor.High End FPGAsThese types of FPGAs are developed for logic density and high performance. Examples of High end FPGAs are a Stratix family from Altera, Virtex family from Xilinx, Speedster 22i family from Achronix, and ProASIC3 family from Microsemi.Applications of FPGA:FPGAs have gained rapid growth over the past decade because they are useful for a wide range of applications. Specific application of an FPGA includes digital signal processing, bioinformatics, device controllers, software-defined radio, random logic, ASIC prototyping, medical imaging, computer hardware emulation, integrating multiple SPLDs, voice recognition, cryptography, filtering and communication encoding and many more.Usually, FPGAs are kept for particular vertical applications where the production volume is small. For these low-volume applications, the top companies pay in hardware costs per unit. Today, the new performance dynamics and cost have extended the range of viable applications.Applications of FPGASome More Common FPGA Applications are: Aerospace and Defense, Medical Electronics, ASIC Prototyping, Audio, Automotive, Broadcast, Consumer Electronics, Distributed Monetary Systems, Data Center, High Performance Computing, Industrial, Medical, Scientific Instruments, Security systems, Video & Image Processing, Wired Communications, Wireless Communications.FPGA Based Project Ideas:Here is a list of FPGA-based project ideas for experimenting with Verilog HDL and VHDL for final year engineering students. The list of electronic projects ideas based on FPGA is given below:FPGA Based Project IdeasSecurity Login System Based on FPGAFPGA Based Digital Hearing AID CHIPAn FPGA Based Real Time Image Feature Extraction ArchitectureFPGA Based Design & Implementation of Mp4 DecodersFPGA Based Traffic Signal Control System Design and ImplementationFPGA based High Frequency Carrier Generation for Pulse Compression Using Cordic AlgorithmProgrammable Logic Block Design and Synthesis with Macro gate and Mixed LUTApplication Specific Instruction Set Processor Design, Implementation, and Study for a Specific DSP TaskSynchronization Unit Design and Implementation for WCDMA Uplink ReceiverFPGA Implementation of FFT Algorithm for IEEE 802.16e (Mobile WiMAX)FPGA Based Designing of GPS (Global Possitioning System)-GSM (Global Systems for Mobiles) Mobile NavigatorSpace Vector PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for Three-Level Converters: a LabVIEW ImplementationDesign and Implementation of Programmable Multi Processor platform for High Performance Embedded ProcessingHigh Performance Processor Optimization Extension and Improving for FPGAsField Oriented Control Development and Evaluation using LabVIEW FPGADirect Digital Frequency Synthesis in FPGAsDesign and Program Multi-Processor Platform for High-Performance Embedded ProcessingDesign and Integration of Space exploration of Field Programmable Counter Arrays Using FPGAAn FPGA Implementation of the Icecube Telescope for Neutrino Track DetectionImage Interpolation of 3D Display in FirmwareMIMO Sphere System Architecture and ImplementationSuperscalar Power Efficient FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) Architecturelinear feedback shift Register (LFSR) Power optimization for low power BISTAfter spending your valuable time on this article, we believe that, you have got a good idea about FPGA architecture and ABOUT selecting the project topic of your choice from the FPGA based project ideas, and hope that you have enough confidence to take up any topic from the list. For further details and help about these projects, you can write to us in the comments section given below.Photo Credits:Field Programmable Gate Arrays by ruggedpcreviewFPGA Based Project Ideas by rtcmagazine Share This Post: Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Post navigation ‹ Previous Understanding about Different Types of Automation SystemsNext › Know About Electronic Digital Data Magnifier for TVs and PCs Related Content What is a Carey Foster Bridge & Its Working What is a Spectrum Analyzer : Working & Its Applications What is an Inductive Reactance : Definition, Unit and Formula What is Dual Trace Oscilloscope : Working & Its Applications 2 Commentshelp in Security Login System Based on FPGA pleas?ReplyHi Sara We are very sorry to inform you that we don’t have that one.ReplyAdd Comment Cancel replyComment:Name * Email * Website